User manual LEICA M3 - QUICK REFERENCE

Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals You are now a LEICA owner! We hope that you will derive as much pleasure and success from this camera as the multitude of LEICA enthusiasts in every corner of the globe. In constructing the LEICA M3 our engineers and optical designers have combined their great experience and long tradition of top-quality optical manufacturing to produce an instrument-quality camera that is both scientifically correct and remarkably easy to use successfully. The short time you invest in studying this little manual -- with your M3 in hand -- will be repaid many times over by rapidly enhancing your skill as a LEICA-photographer. The LEICA'S reputation is based upon outstanding results, and we want yours to be as good as possible, as soon as possible! ERNST LEITZ GMBH WETZLAR, GERMANY Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals Your LEICA is not only a precision camera, but a ruggedly reliable instrument that will yield optimum picture quality over many years of trouble-free service. More than this, it is part of the world's most successful system of photography, the LEICA SYSTEM, with an unmatched family of interchangeable LEITZ lenses and the widest assortment of logically conceived accessories ever supplied for a single camera. This means that as your skill and talent develop, with ever-widening photographic horizons, your LEICA will remain equal to the greater challenges you place upon it. With an assortment of precision LEICA lenses your M3 is not just a camera, but as many different cameras as you want it to be. Your authorized LEICA dealer has many illustrated pamphlets explaining the full range of LEITZ lenses and accessories for your LEICA. Please ask for these brochures, and discuss them with him --you'll find he's a mighty good man to get to know! Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals Rapid Check-List of Basic LEICA Functions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Single-stroke film-advance and is shutter-cocking lever Shutter release button Automatic film counter Shutter speed selector dial (couples to LEICAMETER) Reversing lever for film rewinding Raised red dot on lens bayonet mount Delayed-action self-timer Bayonet mount locking button Lens focusing lever Focal frame preselector lever Lens aperture scale Lens depth-of-field scale Rangefinder window Focal frame illuminating window Combined range-viewfinder window Film rewind knob Accessory shoe Locking synchro contact for flash bulbs Locking synchro contact for electronic-flash units Combined range-viewfinder eyepiece lens (a and b) Carrying-strap eyelets Baseplate locking key Film-type indicator Tripod bushing Hinged, flip-open camera back A. Taking the Picture 1. Remove lens cap. (If lens is a collapsible model, extend and lock). Set lens aperture (11) and shutter speed (4). View subject through finder eyepiece (20) and compose picture within the bright-line frame. Focus lens on most important subject area by turning lever (9) until the two rangefinder images fuse into one. Release shutter (2) with steady, gentle pressure -- do not jab! Work advance-lever (1) to prepare LEICA for next shot. Train yourself to do this immediately after each exposure so that you're always ready for the next -- and frequently unexpected -- situation. Depress bayonet mount locking button (8), rotate lens to the left, and lift out. 2. 3. 4. 5. B. Changing Lenses 1. Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals 2. Gently insert new lens into mount aperture so that red dot near base of lens (6) lies opposite red dot on camera mount near locking button (8), and turn to the right until lock engages with audible "click". C. Film Loading 1. Turn baseplate locking key (22) to "auf -- open", and remove. Place camera upside-down with lens towards you, and swing open hinged back (25). Withdraw take-up spool (which automatically resets film counter (3) to two marks before "0"). 2. Push end of film leader under spring of take-up spool, holding film in left hand, take-up spool in right, with both projecting knobs pointing up. Be sure that perforated film edge lies flat against upper take-up spool flange. 3. Press cassette and take-up spool into camera as shown by diagram engraved on inner body cover-plate. Do not pull out more film than is needed! 4. Check that teeth of transport sprocket properly engage film perforations. If not, work transport lever slightly forward until sprockets engage. 5. Advance film by two frames to bring counter (3) to "0". The LEICA is now ready to shoot. 6. Set film type and speed on indicator (23). D. Unloading an Exposed Film 1. Set reversing lever (5) to "R". 2. Pull rewind knob (16) up and turn in direction of arrow until a slight resistance is felt and overcome with an extra one or two turns. The film is now completely rewound and free of the take-up spool. 3. Open baseplate and remove film cassette. Not For Resale ­ Free Download at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joechan/manuals